slum women and the children they support are
the greatest victims of all

The UN Habitat Report ‘The Challenge of Slums’ estimates that in 2001, 924 million people or 31.6% of the world’s urban population lived in slums. Asia dominated the global picture having a total of 554 million slum dwellers in 2001, about 60% of the world’s total slum dwellers. The report shows that slums have the most intolerable of housing conditions. Slum areas have high concentrations of poverty and of social and economic deprivations. Slum dwellers have limited access to credit and formal job markets. Slums are often recipients of the city’s nuisances. People in slum areas suffer inordinately from diseases. Besides facing the challenges of living in slums, these women bear the full responsibility of supporting their children as well as of earning a livelihood. Their husbands, if part of the household, usually blow away their wages on alcohol, tobacco or petty gambling. Besides having to navigate poverty ravaged lives and social dogmas, illiteracy makes it all the more difficult for these women to etching a living.

In an effort to empower such women and in supporting them in their efforts to make a better life for themselves and their children, Kripa Connection International operates Women’s Project in India. As part of this project we operate Literacy Classes for women from the slums. These Literacy Classes offers women a fast-track course in fundamental reading, writing and calculations. On completion, the participants move to the Advanced Literacy module where they learn enrichment skills. Women who complete these courses will then be trained in income generating skills such as tailoring and salon operations.

Currently, we operate Women’s Literacy Classes in the cities of Pune and Delhi. 85 women have benefited from these class, since its inception. The classes are conducted in the evening.

These women in the slums are not looking for free handouts. All they need is that one opportunity which empowers them. They are looking for change-agents who will help them with the tools to help themselves. We in Kripa Connection believe in helping these needy women with these life changing tools.

You can make a life changing difference for these women.

Your financial gifts make it possible for us to educate these women, to train them in life skills that generate sustainable income for them and in bringing about a positive change in their lives.